Going Full "Tilt"

11:06 PM Elizabeth Seckman 14 Comments

Alice Will is the first book in this series...and it. is. awesome. It's funny, it's smart, it contains all the elements of a good read. That's not surprising, because author, Ashley Chappel,l is funny, smart, and well whether or not she reads good remains a mystery*.

 *I know it's well Ashley...don't have a cow! (Did I mention she's also a grammar cop?)

The second book in the Dreams of Chaos series is scheduled for release on October 11, 2013 and if this trailer is any indication, the second book will be as good as the first.

Watch the trailer...it's seriously impressive. Heck, I have a hard time changing my profile picture and Ashley put this little video together herself. (yeah she works for NASA, I tell myself that when she says smart things like yada yada yada binary code and some other crap.)

Anyhow...congratulations Ashley!! Ya done good girl.

(I just know she's cringing now! It's late, I've got football bleacher butt, and I'm feeling just a little rotten ;)

Watch. Enjoy. Envy.

Nerd Lovin'

4:08 PM Elizabeth Seckman 33 Comments

How to Date a Nerd Bloghop!

Buy it now on Amazon!

Cassie Mae is at it again! Bein' all writerly like and making us all look like slackers popping her books out like Mother Hubbard popped out kids.

photo credit: cszar via photopin cc

Friday Fiction: Kickin' it with the Ninja

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 12 Comments

One of the worst things about being a writer is trying to convince people that what looks like play is work. Computer time? I swear on my cupboard full of cookies and bon bons that when I sit down at my keyboard, it is for real work!

And no one works harder than Alex Cavanaugh. He is such a beast at getting stuff done that I truly believe the rumors that he is A) not human B) has a host of ninjas at his command or C) has a cloning machine.  

Nothing else explains it! 

I try to keep his pace and what do I get? Eye rolls. 

So, I had to ask Alex...


Have you met the Ninja Master? 

If not...you should. 

Have you read his book? 

If not...you should.

"Social Worker Pelts Homeless with Fast Food"

2:53 PM Elizabeth Seckman 33 Comments

Oh ma goodness! I'm writing a post!

It feels good to be back at my keyboard. I'm certain my cat totally thinks I just evicted her from the best seat in the house! Now, let's see if the brain cells can still piece together enough thoughts to call it a post...

A few Sundays ago, I took the time to read the Sunday paper (yes, I still buy one...mostly for the coupons!) I ran across the name of an old friend and it reminded me of the time I threw cheeseburgers at a homeless man.

 Let me explain...

The poster that graced the walls of the YSS training center.

John Moses was my former boss back in the day when I wore the social worker hat.

John is a true believer- a real do-gooder...by nature, thought, and deed. During my days at Youth Services System, several of my "cases" were never technically cases. By that, I mean services were performed based on need, not by what a client could pay. There was the mom who needed drug rehab but didn't qualify for care, so I took her- on the company dime- a hundred miles south to a place with an indigent bed. Same goes for the former client who needed picked up from jail and brought to a homeless shelter...or the pregnant twenty something who needed a place to live, some maternity clothes, and help getting a medical card.

I could go on, but the point is...YSS is the sort of agency that acts on its principles of service to people in need whether there is money to be made or not.

And that brings me back to me throwing cheeseburgers at the homeless man.

My brother worked as a paramedic and his squad was in downtown Wheeling, WV smack dab in a pretty bad neighborhood. When I'd drive down to visit him, there was this homeless guy who would stand on the corner and offer carnations for cash.

Of course, I'd make the trade. Until one day when my brother saw my flowers and flipped out. He gave me the run down..."Harve" (no idea what the homeless man's name was) was a drunk. He would steal flowers from graves and sell them to morons like myself. Then he'd take the money...like my ten bucks...and buy enough booze to OD on. (I guess it's easy for a guy whose liver was as pickled as a set of pig's feet.)

My brother and his fellow ambulance crew gave me a verbal noogie. Then later gave me more than a little hell when Harve went on a bender, had to be taken to the hospital for detox, and puked all over their ambulance.

The crew thanked me...with obvious sarcasm.

photo courtesy of PhotoPin

So, I swore...no more money for Harve. There were shelters in Wheeling and I told him where they were. Not that he cared to go to a shelter. Instead, he'd yell at me when I rolled up to the stop sign. Harve wasn't as friendly when financially cut off.

I started to imagine him becoming irate enough to grab me from my car...and I had my little boys with me.

I also worried that Harve would starve to death. (Cause he always said he needed food money.)

But I had sworn...no more money. So, I couldn't give him cash...couldn't offer counsel.

So one day, I bought him a couple of cheeseburgers. As I rolled up to his corner, I rolled my window down just far enough to toss the burgers out and move on.

When we got to the squad house, my then five-year-old son answers the "how are you bud?" with an innocent, "Good. Mom and I just threw some cheeseburgers at that homeless guy."

I suppose that would be the headline in the paper: "Social Worker Pelts Homeless with Fast Food"

My reasoning wouldn't matter. It'd probably be noted that I nearly put the guy's eye out.

I thought of this when I read the headline, "YSS Gives Shelter to Child Molester" (or something like that)...I cringed.

John Moses

Seems my former boss is still helping people with hard luck. And sometimes the attempt to help another soul comes back to bite you square in the rump. A person comes asking for assistance and the kind heart extends a hand. Then that "poor soul" uses your good for ill and the guy who only meant to help is left holding the bag...and answering reporters' questions.

So while the papers ask, why would John Moses give a child molester a place to stay? I can only answer, sometimes you throw cheeseburgers at homeless people out of the goodness of your heart...out of the hope that the man who extends his hand for help is really wanting to be pulled up...not trying to drag you down.


Want to read the article? YSS Statement Raises Questions

photo credit: wd9hot via photopin cc

A Royal Reveal!

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 17 Comments

I think I am as excited to reveal this cover as I get revealing one of my own. 

I love Sheena-kay! She's always there to support others, offer wisdom, and just be an all-round great gal!  I am sooo thrilled to see her masterpiece finally be the WOW of the day!!

Here's the Queen...

The day has finally come. Time to reveal the cover of Sacrifice HER.

Be amazed.


Title: Sacrifice HER by Sheena-kay Graham

Goodreads: Sacrifice HER

 Release Date: December 2013

 Summary: When a city is at stake is the life of one sixteen-year old girl worth risking thousands? Deidra Moore goes on the run after escaping from a group of human sacrifices for Bane: God of War. She doesn't believe he exists and sees uncertainty in the scorching desert as a better alternative. But Faux City isn't finished with her and their leader Lord Brinn is ordered by Bane - through one of his maiden worshipers- to bring her back or face dire consequences. In the desert Deidra meets a wanderer named Kane and as feelings spark can they find a safe place to lead a new life before Lord Brinn and his soldiers catch up with them? Yet the question remains. Does Bane really exist and if he does what will happen if either side succeeds or fails? Told in alternating perspectives of both the runaway servant girl and the blonde strong willed leader.

 Author Bio: Sheena-kay Graham was never meant for a traditional job behind a desk. Her childhood career plans included becoming a ballerina, actress or someone who helped people. So naturally she decided to be a writer who writes from her bed. Yes, no desk for this Jamaican book lover. No matter if it’s reading, writing or using the computer....you get the gist. The love of the written word has always been with her leading to stories, novels, poetry and way too much fan fiction. This Christian woman can be found trolling Amazon online, in local book bookstores, watching movies on the big screen, or in her bed, or reading/writing/on the laptop...again in her bed. Mainly writes YA fiction and is ready to unleash her creativity to wow the masses.

IWSG! Ninja Master Groupie

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 69 Comments

Long ago, in a galaxy pretty much right here on earth...I was a baby blogger.

The Man

His Book... That you SHOULD buy!